Today's borough election results could be thrown into disarray with legal challenges being considered in key wards, the Evening Gazette newspaper has learned.

In Colchester, a combination of polling cards not delivered to homes and polling stations being moved led to many people not knowing where to go to cast their vote.

And with councillors expecting close results for a number of key seats, it may be some weeks before the future make-up of Colchester Council is known for certain.

John Jowers, leader of the Conservatives, said: "I wouldn't be very surprised (at legal challenges).

"I didn't get a polling card and all sorts of places haven't got cards. It is absolutely appalling."

After the results are declared, Mr Jowers (West Mersea) will be calling for an investigation into what went wrong with the delivery of the cards.

Colin Sykes, Lib Dem group leader (Stanway), said that in his ward people had got the polling cards in the last couple of days, but he was not aware of the current situation across the borough.

Labour group leader Tim Young was unavailable for comment.

Further reaction to the voting in our Elections news section

Published Friday June 11, 2004

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